Anne - it is so good to see you! Thanks to you and Joan for allowing us a place to be. I would love to be at Saving Grace - hopefully it will be coming to Seattle sometime in the future! I would love to attend. (Maybe a little bug can be put into someones ear).

Joy

Anne - it is so good to see you! Thanks to you and Joan for allowing us a place to be. I would love to be at Saving Grace - hopefully it will be coming to Seattle sometime in the future! I would love to attend. (Maybe a little bug can be put into someones ear).

Wow. I have to say--you all are the reason I am here. When we started this thing Joan (the other--quieter--founder) said, "if we can help just one woman--then it will be worth it." I am humbled and awed by your grace, your energy, your commitment and while every reason you all mention above is incredibly important--the thing that brings me back again and again is the community I have here--people who know it is not okay for women in the USA to die during pregnancy; people who are brave enough to face the blank stares, the ignorant health care providers, and the well-meaning but naive friends and family who tell us to "let it go--move on". I will be here as long as you are here--and something tells me--you ain't going away.

Thank you so much. At times I just don't know what to say. I am literally moved to tears. I hope you all will be able to come to Saving Grace--I will be there and I just want to hug you all. You guys have no idea how much you mean to me, how even in the darkest times, times beyond preeclampsia and into "normal" life, your presence and humor has kept me going. Thank you seems insufficient for the work you do every day. And just remember Joan's mantra...just one life...it's an amazing thing.

xxx

Wow. I have to say--you all are the reason I am here. When we started this thing Joan (the other--quieter--founder) said, "if we can help just one woman--then it will be worth it." I am humbled and awed by your grace, your energy, your commitment and while every reason you all mention above is incredibly important--the thing that brings me back again and again is the community I have here--people who know it is not okay for women in the USA to die during pregnancy; people who are brave enough to face the blank stares, the ignorant health care providers, and the well-meaning but naive friends and family who tell us to "let it go--move on". I will be here as long as you are here--and something tells me--you ain't going away.

Thank you so much. At times I just don't know what to say. I am literally moved to tears. I hope you all will be able to come to Saving Grace--I will be there and I just want to hug you all. You guys have no idea how much you mean to me, how even in the darkest times, times beyond preeclampsia and into "normal" life, your presence and humor has kept me going. Thank you seems insufficient for the work you do every day. And just remember Joan's mantra...just one life...it's an amazing thing.

I volunteer because it was information on this website that prompted me to go in to the doctor's office - a decision that may have saved mine and my twin daughters' lives, and certainly has impacted them forever.

I found the PF in the early morning hours of June 18, 2003, while doing an internet search for preeclampsia - I had been diagnosed the day before. I was in too much pain to lay down and sleep, but I wasn't even considering going to the hospital. I'd called my OB's office that afternoon, and the nurse told me that since they hadn't called me about my lab results, that I was 'probably fine' and 'there was no need to call again'.

But after reading some of the posts here, I realized I did need be seen - and quickly. And as it turned out, my labs had been misplaced. I had severe PE and HELLP, and was hospitalized by noon that day.

These forums are a valuable resource, and I feel compelled to try to do what little bit I can to help keep them going, as long as they are needed.

I volunteer because it was information on this website that prompted me to go in to the doctor's office - a decision that may have saved mine and my twin daughters' lives, and certainly has impacted them forever.

I found the PF in the early morning hours of June 18, 2003, while doing an internet search for preeclampsia - I had been diagnosed the day before. I was in too much pain to lay down and sleep, but I wasn't even considering going to the hospital. I'd called my OB's office that afternoon, and the nurse told me that since they hadn't called me about my lab results, that I was 'probably fine' and 'there was no need to call again'.

But after reading some of the posts here, I realized I did need be seen - and quickly. And as it turned out, my labs had been misplaced. I had severe PE and HELLP, and was hospitalized by noon that day.

These forums are a valuable resource, and I feel compelled to try to do what little bit I can to help keep them going, as long as they are needed.

I volunteer because when I went to the ER with debilitating upper GI pain, they found elevated liver enzymes and sent me home, saying it was most likely a gallbladder problem.

I volunteer because when I got home from the hospital with no baby, I tried to look up HELLP Syndrome in my pregnancy books, and there weren't any entries.

I volunteer because whenever I tell someone about HELLP Syndrome, I get a blank look. So I tell them it's a severe form of Preeclampsia, and that look doesn't change. And I finally resort to telling them I had really bad toxemia.

I volunteer because I once had an OB tell me I should just adopt, and now I have a beautiful baby boy.

I volunteer in memory of Maggie, who should be starting 1st grade this year, but is instead a sweet memory of my beautiful baby girl.

I volunteer because it gives her loss a higher purpose.

I volunteer because when I went to the ER with debilitating upper GI pain, they found elevated liver enzymes and sent me home, saying it was most likely a gallbladder problem.

I volunteer because when I got home from the hospital with no baby, I tried to look up HELLP Syndrome in my pregnancy books, and there weren't any entries.

I volunteer because whenever I tell someone about HELLP Syndrome, I get a blank look. So I tell them it's a severe form of Preeclampsia, and that look doesn't change. And I finally resort to telling them I had really bad toxemia.

I volunteer because I once had an OB tell me I should just adopt, and now I have a beautiful baby boy.

I volunteer in memory of Maggie, who should be starting 1st grade this year, but is instead a sweet memory of my beautiful baby girl.

I'm here because an OB and and ER doc told me that there was nothing wrong with me - high bp, proteinuria, elevated liver enzymes, URQ pain - all meant nothing to me, it was "not a baby problem." I'm here because the next day I was admitted to the hospital with severe preeclampsia. I am here because my son is not.

I'm here because my second son is. Through the wonderful women here I found excellent medical care, I found tremendous support, I found some of my closest friends. I truly believe I hold my son today in large part because of the PF.

I will stay here because I need to tell as many women as I can about this disease, I need to do whatever I can to spare someone the heart ache of burying their child, their wife, their daughter, their mother. I will stay because I receive a blank look from people when I say the word "preeclampsia." I will stay because I STILL have doctors and nurses telling me untrue things about preeclampsia. I will stay because I owe it to my sons. I will stay because together, I know that we are making a difference.

Much love to all of you. This Foundation has been my "Saving Grace" more times than I can count.

Oh, I could go on and on... I'll try and keep this brief...[;)]

I'm here because an OB and and ER doc told me that there was nothing wrong with me - high bp, proteinuria, elevated liver enzymes, URQ pain - all meant nothing to me, it was "not a baby problem." I'm here because the next day I was admitted to the hospital with severe preeclampsia. I am here because my son is not.

I'm here because my second son is. Through the wonderful women here I found excellent medical care, I found tremendous support, I found some of my closest friends. I truly believe I hold my son today in large part because of the PF.

I will stay here because I need to tell as many women as I can about this disease, I need to do whatever I can to spare someone the heart ache of burying their child, their wife, their daughter, their mother. I will stay because I receive a blank look from people when I say the word "preeclampsia." I will stay because I STILL have doctors and nurses telling me untrue things about preeclampsia. I will stay because I owe it to my sons. I will stay because together, I know that we are making a difference.

Much love to all of you. This Foundation has been my "Saving Grace" more times than I can count.

great topic! I volunteer for PF for many reasons...forgive my long reply!

* TO RAISE AWARENESS: because I hope that some day when I discuss that my daughter was delivered early due to Preeclampsia I don't have to continue for 15+ minutes explaining this disorder OR correcting those who have an inaccurate understanding.

* AS THERAPY: because I want to have more children, but am frightened by the risks.

* IN HOPE that my efforts (combined with the efforts of all of you) will be a driving force in identifying positive preventions, ways to immediately manage the symptoms, and even a cure.

* PERSONAL REWARD: I enjoy organizing events and I believe that even small efforts can make a big difference.

*AS A RESOURCE for those with severe cases that are not relieved by delivery and carry on post-partum, baffling doctors.

* IN HONOR and IN MEMORY: because my little girl may one day want a child of her own, and because my heart breaks for those who have suffered loss due to PreE.

Thanks to all of you for the time and dedication you give!_____________
Dawn (34)
Kirk (35)
Mya (4) delivered @ 30 wks/emer c-sec/ 3 lbs/ severe preE/ mommy remained severe and in hospital for 3 weeks post-partum

great topic! I volunteer for PF for many reasons...forgive my long reply!

* TO RAISE AWARENESS: because I hope that some day when I discuss that my daughter was delivered early due to Preeclampsia I don't have to continue for 15+ minutes explaining this disorder OR correcting those who have an inaccurate understanding.

* AS THERAPY: because I want to have more children, but am frightened by the risks.

* IN HOPE that my efforts (combined with the efforts of all of you) will be a driving force in identifying positive preventions, ways to immediately manage the symptoms, and even a cure.

* PERSONAL REWARD: I enjoy organizing events and I believe that even small efforts can make a big difference.

*AS A RESOURCE for those with severe cases that are not relieved by delivery and carry on post-partum, baffling doctors.

* IN HONOR and IN MEMORY: because my little girl may one day want a child of her own, and because my heart breaks for those who have suffered loss due to PreE.

Thanks to all of you for the time and dedication you give!
_____________
Dawn (34)
Kirk (35)
Mya (4) delivered @ 30 wks/emer c-sec/ 3 lbs/ severe preE/ mommy remained severe and in hospital for 3 weeks post-partum

What a great topic.! I am here for many reasons posted already.
But to list a few...

I want to help other women who were like me and had never even hear the word Preeclampsia till the day i was diagnosed in the hospital. its something every pregnant woman is tested for in the Ob's office so its something every person should know about.

I also want to help find a cure so parents dont have to experience the pain of losing a child and also the pain of losing the mother.

What a great topic.! I am here for many reasons posted already.
But to list a few...

I want to help other women who were like me and had never even hear the word Preeclampsia till the day i was diagnosed in the hospital. its something every pregnant woman is tested for in the Ob's office so its something every person should know about.

I also want to help find a cure so parents dont have to experience the pain of losing a child and also the pain of losing the mother.